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17 Dec 2025

Gibson Dunn Secures Unanimous Sixth Circuit Ruling for Churchill Downs, Home of the Kentucky Derby

"Gibson Dunn obtained a unanimous Sixth Circuit decision for Churchill Downs and its TwinSpires online wagering platform, holding that Michigan’s licensing requirements are federally preempted and cannot be used to shut down TwinSpires."

Gibson Dunn represented Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and its TwinSpires online wagering platform. Gibson Dunn secured a decisive victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The court unanimously held that Michigan’s licensing requirements are preempted by federal law and therefore cannot be invoked to shut down the TwinSpires online wagering platform. The ruling prevents Michigan from employing its licensing regime to disable or remove TwinSpires' online wagering services, safeguarding the platform’s ability to operate where federal law governs. Gibson Dunn represented Churchill Downs and TwinSpires with a team composed by: partners Thomas Dupree and Christine Demana; associates John Tienken, Abby Walters, and Thomas Moore.
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